Our intrepid reporter, Paul Markel, invades a gathering of people who celebrate shooting guns that are quiet -- smart folks -- at the AAC Silencer Shoot for 2011.

by Paul Markel

A silencer, sound suppressor, whatever you call them, the technology to muffle the sound of a gunshot has improved dramatically during the last decade. The AAC Silencer Shoot is the largest gather of suppressor manufacturers under one tent and on one range. For the 2011 shoot AAC scheduled two full days of shooting, demonstrations and competition at the Tier 1 Group training facility across the river from Memphis, Tennessee. Thousands of people traveled from across the nation to participate in the event.

http://www.theoutdoorwire.com/image_archive/2040410.jpg> Firing a suppressed M249 SAW; more fun than a human being should be allowed to have!

The "Silent Firearm" was actually patented by Hiram Percy Maxim in 1909. H.P. Maxim was the son of the famous machine-gun designer. Built like a car muffler, the silencer was designed with baffles to trap, channel, and cool the burning propellant gases that produce the ear damaging noise. Not surprisingly, the senior Maxim was said to be stone deaf at the time he passed.

Whether you are a member of the military, law enforcement officer, citizen shooter or hunter, the use of a sound suppressor only makes sense. There really is no voodoo or magic involved. The sound moderator simply tames the damaging noise. We need to look at the noise of a shot as a byproduct. Too many shooters associate noise with power. The louder the shot, the more powerful the cartridge has to be so that thinking goes. Noise is just noise. It doesn't make the bullet strike harder or fly straighter.

http://www.theoutdoorwire.com/image_archive/2040412.jpg> A little lady enjoys the sound of silence.

Modern sound suppressors or silencers from reputable manufacturers do not weaken or slow the bullet in an appreciable manner. While it is true that some semi-automatic firearms need to be adjusted in order to reliably cycle with a silencer in place, that technology is here and available now.

http://www.theoutdoorwire.com/image_archive/2040414.jpg> A combat kilt and suppressed AR...

In addition to trigger pulling there were numerous other attractions at the Silencer Shoot 2011. There were motocross demonstrations and music. UTM (Ultimate Training Munitions) put on a house clearing/home defense seminar. Every year that AAC has held a Silencer Shoot they have donated proceeds to a charity. In 2010 a check for $75,000 was given to the Wounded Warrior Project. This year the children's cancer research organization, the PleuroPulmonary Blastoma Project, will be the recipient of their philanthropy.

In the end after all the brass has been policed and the echoes of exploding Tannerite have faded the primary purpose the Silence Shoot is education. If nothing else, AAC and their many partners at the event wish to use the gathering as a way of educating the public to the legality and benefits of using sound suppressors. All U.S. military and law enforcement can make use of them and lawful citizens in 37 states can legally own silencers after the proper paper work has been completed. AAC also has an online silencer education course called "Can U". Take a few moments to educate yourself at www.aaccanu.com.

Paul Markel has been a Marine, Police Officer, Bodyguard and Firearms Instructor. He had recently donned a new hat as the host of "Student of the Gun" a weekly television show premiering on the Pursuit Channel July 2011. www.paulmarkel.com